Choosing a Response

This was written by Terri McPherson, of Wisehearts.com, a while ago - yet I wanted to share it with you today.

It was included in a wonderful book that I will be reviewing for you next week called "Appreciation Marketing".

Choosing A Response

My ability to respond to the world
over which I have no control,
is a powerful gift.

If I crumble in the face of adversity,
I have chosen to be weak and beaten down.

If I soar to the heights of happiness, I have chosen to fly.

Situations will choose me,
But they will never own me.
How I react to them will always
Be a matter of my own choice.
-Terri McPherson

For the last few posts, I've been writing about some helpful tips to moderate a successful Twitter chat. One of the questions I get asked by people who are considering starting their own chat or who are struggling with having anyone participate in their chat is.....what if I set up a chat and nobody comes?
"We cannot chose our circumstances but we can choose our response to our circumstances"

Act AS IF the chat was full. Even if it's just YOU! Throw out thoughts, nuggets, things you agree or disagree with from others that you've heard of in the past. Throw out "what if" situations. Act AS IF there are hundreds of people in the chat - even if it's only you or only you and one other.

From this action, others will see the "chat stream" and jump in. They will see the engagement and excitement and want to participate. They will see something that they strongly agree with or strongly disagree with and make their opinion or insight known!

Do not, even with one person, start asking "what do we talk about" or "where is everyone" or "what do we do now". Once you do that, you've lost the one person that you had and anyone lurking, listening and watching.